15th century – Fiscal censuses for Guy de Commeau

Cherche de feux (fiscal census)

A “cherche de feux” is a former type of census. Delegates were sent into the country to count the feux and homes, and the results of the inquiry were used for primarily fiscal,and statistical reasons. To convert the feux into inhabitants, we normally multiply by 5 or 7, although it’s not precise. (Definition submitted by Pierre Collenot)

Knowing that the Hundered Year’s War and the Black Death happened in the 14th and 15th centuries and would have killed 50% of the population in Europe, the individuals in these censuses are the lucky ones that survived this period. Some researchers estimates that an individual bearing an unique name would be the sole ancestor of all people bearing that same name in the region.

1442 – Fiscal census for Guy de Commeau

Here is the scan of a fiscal census (cherche de feux) produced in 1442 mentioning Guyot Comeaul, . Guyot Comeaul is a lord from the 15th century in Burgundy, France. A lot of researchers links Pierre Comeau to Guyot’s lineage, altough no proof exists today. One of Guyot’s descendants is Sébastien Joseph de Comeau, who served under Napoleon.